Event raises nearly €50,000 for new undergraduate summer school.

Fundraising expectations were exceeded at last year’s EMBL Benefit Gala in Heidelberg. The charity evening on 12 October aimed to raise support for the new ‘Summer School for Undergraduates – Talents teach Talents’. Guests had committed themselves to just short of €50,000 – a true testament to the efforts of everyone involved in planning and delivering the event, who inspired generous contributions from donors, partners and sponsors.

Some 170 guests – representing business, foundations and academia – accepted an invitation from EMBL Director General Iain Mattaj. The spotlight of the event was on young talents, and guests gathered under banners celebrating past and present ‘young giants of science’ to enjoy a varied evening of entertainment. A highlight was the panel discussion with four EMBL predocs, who talked about their motivation, goals and vision and let the guests share in their EMBL experiences.

In the meantime, plans have turned to reality: the first summer school will be held in Heidelberg from 15-26 July 2019. 

A heartfelt thank-you again to all donors and supporters and, in particular, to the Manfred Lautenschläger Foundation which gave a substantial gift enabling the new EMBL ‘Summer School for Undergraduates  – Talents teach Talents‘ to run for several years – potentially also at other sites.